It?s fitting given her name ? ?water? is where Summit County Commissioner Nina Waters finds inspiration ? literally and professionally. After moving to Summit County in 2014 for an acting gig with Theatre SilCo, Nina tested her mettle as a raft guide. She loves rafting, calling it her ?north star.? On the river, she can disconnect from the world and simultaneously reconnect with herself. This relationship with water led her to learn more about water in the West: the snowpack that acts as our winter reservoir, the cycle from snowmelt to raging rapids, and the impacts climate change has on local and regional river systems.  

When the opportunity arose, Nina jumped at the chance to become a County Commissioner. ?I know how influential Commissioners are in conversations about water in Colorado,? she says. ?I want to make sure we have not only a good quantity of water, but also good quality water.? 

As an elected official, Nina wants to show others that they have the power to protect the environment, too. To her, the antidote to apathy is engaging with community. Nina believes HC3?s programs allow everyone in the community to feel empowered to make positive change.   

?We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Preserving that is important to me.? 

HC3?s programs empower positive change in our community ? and your contribution helps make that happen.